Federal

Airport Certification and Safety Inspector

Federal Aviation Administration ยท Department of Transportation
๐Ÿ“ Des Moines, Washington FV-J $125,635 - $194,772/yr
Posted: Jun 25, 2026 Deadline: Jul 9, 2026 (Closes in 6 days)

About This Position

This position serves as the Lead Airport Certification Safety Inspector (ACSI) responsible for 14 CFR Part 139 compliance for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Airports (ARP) Northwest Mountain Region.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IS DEFINED AS: Experience with conducting inspections at airports to ensure operational safety and/or compliance with FAA standards and regulations. Experience with reviewing and approving Airport Certification Manuals and emergency plans required by regulation to ensure current and adequate airport operating procedures. Experience in reviewing and verifying individual airport layout plans, obstruction charts, safety equipment descriptions, construction drawings and documents related to certification requirements.

Experience in conducting reviews and approvals of wildlife hazard assessments and wildlife hazard management plans. Experience with investigating potential regulatory violations and initiating administrative or legal enforcement actions, as appropriate. Answer all questions to the best of your ability.

DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE.

You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process.

Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Work Environment: This position requires up to 60% travel. A valid driver's license is required. Physical Requirement: Candidates must successfully complete a Basic Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Training Course which places the candidate in a strenuous physical heat-controlled environment with fire protection suits and self-contained breathing apparatus that could be heavy and awkward.

Level 5 (Moderate Risk) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. Current FAA employee: You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50 including Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position.

Major Duties

Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager as the Lead Airport Certification Safety Inspector (ACSI).

This position applies experience and a comprehensive technical knowledge to serve as a Regional primary point of contact in the area of airport certification and safety. Advises airport management on new requirements and developments in the airport certification program. Conducts periodic and surveillance inspections at Part 139 certified airports including medium to large hub airports to ensure compliance with standards for 14 CFR Part 139 in the areas of records, personnel, paved areas, unpaved areas, safety areas, marking signs, and lighting, snow and ice control, aircraft rescue and firefighting, handling and storing of hazardous substances and materials, traffic and wind direction indicators, airport emergency plan, self-inspection program, pedestrians and ground vehicles, obstructions, protection of NAVAIDS, public protection, wildlife hazard management, airport condition reporting, and identifying, marking and lighting construction and other unserviceable areas.

Reviews and approves Airport Certification Manuals and emergency plans required by regulation to ensure current and adequate airport operating procedures. Recommends approval or denial of applications for Airport Operating Certificates (AOC). Investigates known or alleged violations of the regulations in accordance with current agency directives.

Coordinates directly with management to initiate revocation or suspension of AOC in accordance with agency guidelines. Coordinates recommended exemption requests with regional Division Manager and FAA Headquarters. Conducts investigations of vehicle/pedestrian deviations at airports and evaluate results for closure or enforcement (administrative or legal).

Conducts reviews of Construction Safety Phasing Plans and conducts inspections of airports to ensure operational safety during construction meets current standards. Reviews and approves wildlife hazard assessments and wildlife hazard management plans at Part 139 airports and works closely with the airports, wildlife biologists, other technical experts and stakeholders to reduce hazardous wildlife and attractants on and in the vicinity of airports. Investigates potential regulatory violations and initiates administrative or legal enforcement actions, as appropriate.

Works cooperatively with FAA management and legal counsel in processing legal enforcement cases. Collaborates with Regional and Local Runway Safety Action Teams by providing 14 CFR Part 139 expertise and assisting in the development of airport runway safety action plans. In coordination with management ensures the regional Airport Certification Program is carried out in accordance with the Airport Certification Program Handbook, and the FAAยฟs Compliance and Enforcement Program.

Reviews and verifies individual airport layout plans, obstruction charts, safety equipment descriptions, construction drawings and documents related to certification requirements. Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, but allow considerable discretion to develop new and innovative approaches. Draws on experience to solve unusual problems and may create new solutions and policy interpretations as the situation requires.

Provides policy guidance and instruction to others, both internally and externally. Provides guidance to lower-level staff on how to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or technical support.

Coordinates the efforts of project teams, which may include contractors and/or vendors, during network upgrades. Work is reviewed rarely, typically though status reports and at project completion, to ensure technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity. Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Additional Information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty.

FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

This position may require the inspector to drive significant distances (100-300 miles) and requires the inspector to walk considerable distances to inspect airfield pavement, safety areas, lighting, markings, signage, and fueling systems. Frequently this requires working around the hazards of moving aircraft (taxiing, landing, and takeoff) and ground vehicles. The candidate may also be required to lift and/or carry objects of about 20 to 50 pounds, as well as climb ladders and/or work in unusual environmental/weather conditions.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each Technical Requirement or Leadership and Management Dimension in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose.

Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability.

Your answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided.

Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate. All applicants are encouraged to provide NARRATIVES for each "Managerial Selection Factors" and addressed with description and/or level/percentage of experience. Please include specific examples and details which illustrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Please include applicable date ranges. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Leadership and Management Dimensions listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

This is a temporary assignment, NTE-2 years; however, it may be extended, terminated at any time at management's discretion or made permanent without further consideration. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

How to Apply

Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position.

You must apply online to receive consideration.

Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register. RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week. Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA.

Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.

You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies.

Required Documents

Applicants must apply on-line, through USAJOBS, to receive consideration; Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted. If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your on-line application, e.g. transcripts, SF-50, or veteran's documents, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS. Supplemental documentation and college transcripts can also be faxed to (206) 231-4150 or emailed on or before the closing date of this announcement.

Please include your name and the vacancy announcement number on each of your faxed pages and redact all Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as social security number and date of birth.

Applicants must submit the following: - Resume with complete work history; and - A copy of the most recent SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action) If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement.

You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy. If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Airport Certification and Safety Inspector position at Federal Aviation Administration?
The salary range for this position is $125,635 - $194,772/yr. This is a FV-J position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Airport Certification and Safety Inspector job located?
This position is located in Des Moines, Washington. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Education cannot be substituted for experience.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Jul 9, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.